New song--"Stick Around"

[chicagowineguy]

I'm taking a songwriting class--this week's assignment is to provide a song for a dramatic soundtrack. I won't bore you with the details of the "scene" the song is supposed to compliment. Anyway, what do you think?

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_so ... ID=7848979

 

[5thumbs]

Nice!!!

I hear a serious John Prine influence there - well done!

Where are you taking the class? It sounds interesting.

 

[kitniyatran]

Not bad atall.

 

[jgmaute]

Thanks so much for posting!
I like the song and the performance, good work! I also am wondering where you're taking the class, what a great assignment. Were you given a time limit for the song as well as context? (I remember when I was doing the music for an ed tv series on Energy when they said they wanted 60 seconds that's exactly what they wanted, not 59 or 61.) How many times will the class meet, how many are in the class, and do we get to hear other assignments? joan

 

[chicagowineguy]

Thanks for the kind words, Joan! The class is at the Old Town School of Folk Music with the instructor and amazing songwriter/guitarist Steve Dawson. We get a new assignment every week, so it's very motivating--you have to show up on Sunday with a new song or you get some not-so subtle disapproving looks! The parameters of the assignments can be broad or very specific--next week we have to bring something in a major/minor format, one chord per bar for the verses and two chords per for the chorus. I'm already thinking...!

 

[jgmaute]

Old Town School of Folk Music...what a wonderful force and anchor it's been in Chicago folk music for decades. I sure don't miss Chicago winters but the Old Town School is something I do miss. It's so great that you're able to take this class. Do you live in the city? (I grew up in Wheaton and lived in other western and south west burbs.) Keep us posted so we can audit the class! Joan

 

[5thumbs]

Old Town School of Folk Music...what a wonderful force and anchor it's been in Chicago folk music for decades.

You're right about that. I did a few group classes and workshops years ago; great fun. Probably should go back - that songwriting class sounds really interesting (although if your song is an indication of the talent in that class, CWG, it's way out of my league!).

Do any of the Chicago people here remember the Saddle Club? Open mic on Thursdays after classes. Besides all the talent from the school, drop-in's from the Earl Of Old Town would sometimes show up. Bonnie Koloc, Steve Goodman, John Prine were a few I remember seeing. You could hear a lot of fantastic music for the cost of a beer or two.

 

[jgmaute]

Old Town School of Folk Music...what a wonderful force and anchor it's been in Chicago folk music for decades.

You're right about that. I did a few group classes and workshops years ago; great fun. Probably should go back - that songwriting class sounds really interesting (although if your song is an indication of the talent in that class, CWG, it's way out of my league!).

Do any of the Chicago people here remember the Saddle Club? Open mic on Thursdays after classes. Besides all the talent from the school, drop-in's from the Earl Of Old Town would sometimes show up. Bonnie Koloc, Steve Goodman, John Prine were a few I remember seeing. You could hear a lot of fantastic music for the cost of a beer or two.[/quote

I've been trying to remember the name of the place on North a block or two from the original Old Town Folklore Center. I think that's it, they had great chili and amazing music. I remember driving in on Thursday nights when we lived in Lombard to sing. Ray would always have me sing and to be accepted there was like nothing else. It was a listening and very discerning crowd. After they moved I used to go in to the Fifth Peg for the same thing. I first heard John Prine at the Fifth Peg when he was just getting started and still delivering mail.

Nothing like that down here...thanks for the memories..

 

[chicagowineguy]

I could not agree more with the sentiments about the OTS, though my experience is limited to the past three years at the new center on Lincoln--wow it must have been amazing back in the day with people like John Prine hanging around (didn't he teach for a while?). I was talking to one of the many friends I've made in various classes and we commented on how our improvement was apparent in the way that we can learn and play new songs with less and less effort. It's just a result, I think, of learning and recognizing chords and fingerboard theory. You don't notice it on a day to day or week to week basis, but you step back every once in a while and wow, you've actually improved a whole lot! I know another forum member, Tony T has become another convert! (And yes, Tony, I should have found a way to accept your great deal on that GF25!) As far as the skill level in the songwriting class, it's really all over the place--I'd rank myself smack dab in the middle--there's a young lady who can sing like Patty Griffin and is well on her way to being able to write like her, too! It's inspiring and intimidating, let me tell you!

 

[bighouse]

Great tune cwg!

If you're writing something that good each week you'll have yourself an album, er, cd by the end of the course!

cheers,

Bill

 

[Graham]

Fabulous stuff Dave.

Any chance you want to consider the singer/songwriter camp in Texas in March? :roll:

 

[Dr. Spivey]

Another winner, Dave. You really are talented.